An iron lozenge-shaped spearhead with raised midrib, squared shoulders and short tubular socket with fastening hole. 11 1/2 in. (477 grams, 29 cm). Very fine condition, professionally cleaned, conserved and restored. [No Reserve]

PROVENANCE:
Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972.

LITERATURE:
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIII, item 22, for similar; Nicolle, D., 'Raiders of the Ice War' in Military Illustrated, March 1996, no.94, pp.26-29, fig.28, for a similar spearhead.

FOOTNOTES:
A lot is known about Baltic and Prussian weaponry from the time of their struggle against the Germans and Teutonic Knights; the pagan dead were often cremated along with damaged or ceremonially sacrificed weaponry. If the swords were generally reserved for the military elite, the side axes and spears were the most commonly used weapon by the lower ranking soldiers.